Winter Moorland Walking Leader Assessment

This one day Winter Moorland Walking Leader Assessment course is intended for those wishing to guide or lead walking groups on day walks within the South West’s moorland areas, such as Dartmoor and Brecon Beacons, in winter conditions. This award, after assessment, is the highest level award within the SWMMLTS.

It is a useful professional development opportunity for those involved in Ten Tors and Duke of Edinburgh leadership (D of E).

Minimum 40 days recent mountain and/or moorland walking experience, on a variety of routes in more than one area. To include a minimum of 10 days walking in poor visibility, a minimum 10 days group leadership experience and 10 days in winter conditions

Pre-submission of log book of experience plus satisfactory completion of risk assessment, route card and home study paper

Method of Assessment

Candidates will be required to demonstrate effective walking group leadership during a winter day walk on open Moorland, such as Dartmoor and Brecon Beacons and to show competence in the relevant personal skills required to lead or guide walkers on this terrain. The assessment will include moorland navigation in poor visibility, route planning, risk management, leader equipment and incident management.

All assessments require the candidate to demonstrate navigational competence in poor visibility therefore part of the assessment will take place in darkness. The navigational standard is equivalent to the National Navigation Award Scheme (NNAS) Gold level.

Candidates will also be required to complete an assessed written task either in advance of, or as part of the practical assessment day. The time required for this is in addition to the 8-hour practical element.